Neighbourhoods are game for it!

A HALF TERM packed full of fun and laughter is being provided by the team behind Liverpool’s Community Games.  6 brand new area committees will be launched, as well as the date of the main Community Games set as the 1 August 2007. Each 1 of the 6 area committees have created a fun day which is providing arts, cultural and sports activities, tailored to their community with tasters of different sports, arts, craft and drama workshops, plus dance sessions. Also pampering sessions are available in some areas providing hand or head massage.

Liverpool City Council Leader, Cllr Warren Bradley, said:- “It’s heartening to see the community spirit being brought back into our neighbourhoods through the Games and the support of the Liverpool Culture Company, and the idea that participating is as important, if not more so, than winning.”

Liverpool Community Games is a registered charity which has been established in the city since 1998 and is based on the Dublin Community Games started in 1968. The winning Liverpool team will go forward to the Merseyside Games on the 15 August 2007.

Organiser Karen Bevan said:- “We’re hoping that this year will be bigger and better than ever before. With the help of our 6 new area committees, we’re getting more and more people involved, so we’re looking for a great turn out at the half term fun days. Our aim is not victory at any price and we strive to instil a sense of friendly rivalry.”

The city-wide Liverpool Community Games finals will take place on 1st August. If you would like to get involved, please call Karen Bevan on 0151 709 8977 or email.

Half term activities are:-

Norris Green Sat 10 Feb 12.30–4pm @ Ellergreen Sports Centre, L11 2XY.  Contact Samantha Davies McArdle, or email.

Kensington Mon 12 Feb 12–4pm @ Kensington Community Sports Centre, L7 8SJ.  Contact Rhiannon Brown - or you can phone on 0151 233 6142 or email.

Anfield: Wed 14 Feb 12-4pm @ Anfield Sports & Community Centre.  Contact Ruth Little, 60 Priory Road, L4 2RZ - or you can phone on 0151 260 or email.

Greenbank Thurs 15 Feb 12.30–3.30pm @ Greenbank Sports Academy, L26 6LW.  Contact Terry Powell phone on 0151 487 8635 or email.

Toxteth Fri 16 Feb 9am–4pm @ Belvedere School, Belvedere Road, L8.  Contact Henry Mooney or you can phone on 0151 708 2507 or 07966 205777 or email.

Garston Sat 17 Feb 9am-4pm @ Garston Urban Village, L19 8JZ.  Contact Paul Daley, Garston Urban Village, 70 Banks Road, L19 8JZ or you can phone on 0151 494 1611.

CULTURE CITY NETS friend

''We are advertis'd by our loving friends...’’, said Shakespeare almost 500 years ago, and now Europe’s next Capital of Culture has taken a leaf out of ‘the bard’s’ book to promote its 08 celebrations on the world stage.  The Liverpool Culture Company has cast one of the UK’s leading web design companies as its latest ‘Friend’ to attract an audience of millions via the internet.

Established in Liverpool in 1997, the award-winning Mando Group is already helping to attract supporters waiting in the wings, by revamping the weekly e-blast sent to the city’s 08 Ambassadors, of which there almost 4,000 across 35 countries.  In the coming months Mando will also be developing other compelling content such as viral games, pod casts and blogs plus a programme to drive traffic to liverpool08.com and build the city’s database of 08 supporters.

Liverpool08.com has just reported its most successful month, with more than 700,000 visits in January – that’s more than for the whole of 2006.

Matt Johnson, Chairman of Mando Group, said:- ‘’We are delighted to be a Friend of Liverpool 08. We believe culture and enterprise are two of the key catalysts for the growth and development of Liverpool and we’re excited to be involved with the Culture Company and developing their web and e-marketing programme. ‘’

The Liverpool Culture Company is currently talking to a number of companies to become 08 Friends including accountants, retail and leisure, restaurants and hotels, arts and cultural organisations and creative industries.

Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:- “In this digital age all the world is a stage and in 2008 Liverpool aims to be playing a leading role. We’re lucky to have a ‘Friend’ in Mando Group as their web skills will enable us to advertise our 21st century renaissance to millions of people. It’s a win-win situation for the city as they are also a great advert for our burgeoning creative sector.’’

Mando Group is Liverpool 08’s fourth Friend, following Ethel Austin Properties, John Lewis Partnership and Beetham Organization.

Jason Harborow, Chief Executive of the Liverpool Culture Company, said:- “We want to ensure that we get the best of Merseyside businesses involved in promoting Liverpool in the best possible light. Mando Group are at the cutting edge of web development and their support will ensure the internet community are with us as the curtain raises on 2008.’’

ROBERTA IS BACK IN TOWN!